News from Trinity Community Council

Trinity CC’s 8 June meeting was well attended. The main points:

RBS branch closure: 'strong protest' from Trinity CC — RBS branch closure: ‘strong protest’ from Trinity CC

Traffic and Transport

TCC and neighbouring CCs have been concerned about the lack of a review of Waterfront developments on traffic and transport in our part of the city. The most recent (in 2008 at a cost of £250k) North Edinburgh Transport Action Plan (NETAP) had assumed that the tram would come to Newhaven. Much has changed since then. Cllr Hind’s office had indicated that ‘the new Local Development Plan will have an action to review the NETAP‘ but no timescale nor detail was given.

Speaking at our meeting, Cllr Hinds recognised the importance of proper infrastructure planning but indicated that even a short stand-alone review could cost around £100,000. Finding this money would be difficult. She would ensure that officials put a timescale in writing on how NETAP would be covered in the LDP and offered to arrange a follow-up meeting with officials. She also accepted that a lighter touch traffic and transport study could be set up involving various CCs in North Edinburgh.

Community engagement was essential if a less cumbersome, more holistic planning process is to be developed which can better handle changing circumstances and be more readily communicated to those affected.

Responding to questions, Cllr Hinds agreed the importance of clarifying developers’ intentions at Granton and also the level of industrial development at Leith Docks since both would have direct implications for traffic and transport. Access arrangements to Leith Docks could have a significant impact on the volume of heavy traffic along the Waterfront.

The importance of controlling emissions had been underlined by the introduction of low emission zones in London with a knock-on effect on Edinburgh as vehicles have been redeployed north.

Cllr Hinds acknowledged that infrastructure planning must include wider amenities like schools and green space while smarter design at no extra cost could better integrate cycle path planning within mainstream road/pavement planning.

Extension of 20mph speed limits

Worries about whether the Police would be able to enforce the 20mph limit were expressed but Cllr Hinds assured the meeting that the Police would enforce it as they did other speed limits. Some concern was also expressed that despite the number of schools, Craighall Road remained at 30mph. Moreover a potential increased volume of traffic from cruise liners disembarking at Granton/Newhaven could become significant.

New handrail in Laverockbank Road

You may have noticed this new addition to our streetscape. This will make it possible to get up and down the hill safely in even the most inclement weather.

Crime

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault on 2 people in Laverockbank Road by 4 attackers. This happened at about 1am on Sunday 31 May with both victims sustaining serious facial injuries.

Closure of RBS Goldenacre

We have protested strongly about RBS’ plans to close its Goldenacre branch from 13 August 2015 following a 25% drop in customer use over the last 3 years. We have pointed to the distance to the suggested alternatives as well as the growth planned for our side of the city.

Despite letters asserting a policy of “actively engaging, helping and supporting our customers and the local community” no bank representative was available for our meeting. Indeed as recently as March, the British Banking Association published a protocol that banks would “work with local communities to establish the impact of the branch closure prior to its closure”. This has been notable by absence.

We were assured that CEC Councillors are pressing the issue as is Malcolm Chisholm MSP. We hope to arrange a meeting with RBS shortly.

New Street Lighting

Quite a few complaints about the new LED street lighting which, while cheaper to run and environmentally sounder, is creating some unfortunate dark patches. Alternative settings are now being used to widen and increase light distribution and in certain places, additional lamps have been installed. Cllr Hinds accepted that installation without a prior explanation letter had been a mistake. Anyone who remained concerned about the quality of the lighting should contact her or one of the Forth councillors.

Public Consultations

Two surveys which you may be interested in completing –
– Tram Inquiry
– Police Scotland counter service.

127 Trinity Road

This has been resubmitted but again received a high volume of objections. We therefore expect the application to receive a full Committee consideration with a distinct possibility of becoming a Hearing. That permits TCC and other interested parties to speak.

Our beautiful green spaces

Lots of praise for Victoria Park’s improved basketball and tennis courts. Starbank Park goes from strength to strength including a Midsummer Madness event on 21 June (see attached poster).

Next meeting will be on

Monday 14 September at 7 pm in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road.

Come and give us your thoughts!

Did you find this bulletin useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing tcc-comms@outlook.com Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.

It’s Water of Leith clean up time!

Water of Leith Clean Up

Sunday 28 June 11am – 1.30pm

Meet at clock at Canonmills clock (foot of Brandon Terrace) at 10.45. Wear long sleeves and long trousers (nettles!) – and bring a picnic!

Local Community Learning & Development Worker Callum Mcleod said: “It’s normally a fun day and if you can make it along I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself!”

Water of Leith Poster 2015

North Edinburgh Arts looking for Board Members

Like to be at the heart of something good?

Support your Community Council!

Do you care about what’s going on in your community? Would you like to help make your neighbourhood a better place to live? Yes? Then join with others who feel the same way at West Pilton West Granton Community Council’s annual general meeting on Tuesday evening!

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West Pilton West Granton Community Council AGM

Tuesday 2 June 7 – 9pm

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Community Council secretary Willie Black is keen to see the while community getting involved. He said: “Our AGM is an opportunity to meet with other concerned residents and tenants who are working for the improvement of the area. Do you feel you can make a difference? Come along to the meeting and have your say. With your help we can all make the area a place where everyone can be proud to live and work.”

Councillor Maureen Child, who chairs the city council’s Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee, is guest speaker at the event and will talk on ‘The Changing Role of Community Councils’.

Community councils are only as strong and effective as their members make them, so why not play your part?

For further information call Community Council secretary Willie Black on 0751 568 6421 or email w.black@blueyonder.co.uk

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Search is on for Scotland’s Real Heroes

STV invites viewers to nominate community heroes

The search for Scotland’s most deserving community heroes is now underway with the launch today this week of the third season of RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes.

Following the success of last year’s series, which received nominations from across Scotland, STV is calling for people from Edinburgh to nominate the friends, family or community groups who have dedicated their time and effort to helping the lives of others. The public can nominate online at stv.tv/realheroes, by phone and by post.

The new series, presented by Carol Smillie and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, will air on STV this autumn with viewers across Scotland encouraged to cast their vote for the heroes they believe are most deserving of an award.

Each week, shortlisted nominees will be interviewed by a range of star reporters including comedians Fred MacAulay and Sanjeev Kohli, Elaine C Smith (Burdz Eye View), River City stars Jayd Johnson and Stephen Purdon, Ron Donachie (Game of Thrones) and David Hayman (On Weir’s Way with David Hayman, Shetland) to gain some insight into the inspiring work they do within their local communities.

The overall winners will be announced at a star-studded awards ceremony with the overall final category winners in the running to collect the RBS Scotland’s Real Hero of the Year Award.

Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV said: “We were overwhelmed by the public’s response to the last two series of RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes and have met some truly inspiring people and groups from across Scotland. We want viewers from Edinburgh to nominate their friends, colleagues, neighbours or local groups so we can shine a light on the real heroes of Scotland that truly deserve recognition.”

RBS: Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes is sponsored by RBS.

Debbie Pow, RBS’s Local Chief Executive Officer, Edinburgh said: “We are delighted to be supporting the third series of RBS: Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes. This is a fantastic way to recognise inspiring individuals who have generously dedicated their time and skills to helping others within our communities in Scotland. Everyone at Royal Bank of Scotland will be getting behind the series and we are all looking forward to finding out more about the finalists when the series airs on STV later this year.”

For more information, visit www.stv.tv/realheroes.

Breaking up Britain? Report to lambast Westminster voting system

Electoral Reform Society report will highlight deficiencies of ‘an archaic and broken voting system’

Definitive report on 7 May result highlights least proportional result in UK electoral history
Exclusive YouGov study for the ERS will show result under fairer voting systems
First Past the Post is ‘breaking up Britain’ by creating artificial divisions, analysis shows

The failure of Britain’s voting system will be laid bare on Monday, when the Electoral Reform Society will release their definitive report on the General Election.

The report, ‘The 2015 General Election: A Voting System in Crisis’, will reveal how this election was the most disproportionate in British electoral history, according to new analysis.

It will also, for the first time, conclusively reveal how the election would have looked different under other voting systems – based on polling of over 40,000 people’s party preferences for the ERS by YouGov.

As well as this exclusive new polling, A Voting System in Crisis argues that the voting system is even contributing to the break-up of the UK, artificially inflating divisions and leading to a ‘postcode electoral lottery’ where parties are excluded in one area and over-represented in another. Millions of people’s voices are being excluded simply because of where they live, the report argues.

It draws on the fact that the SNP won 95% of Scottish seats on half the vote – leaving unionist sentiment in Scotland almost completely unrepresented, while at the same time the Labour party was locked out of the South of England – winning just 8 seats in the South East and South West despite getting nearly a fifth of the vote. Equally, cross-community parties were kept out in Northern Ireland under Britain’s divisive voting system, and Labour were greatly over-represented in Wales.

The number of votes cast for parties other than the three main UK wide parties rose to its highest ever level on May 7 – the dawn of ‘truly multi-party politics’, but a politics operating under what the ERS describe as an ‘archaic and broken voting system’.

The report will show the shocking number and percentage of votes which went to losing candidates and were effectively wasted. It will also reveal the number / percentage of MPs who were elected without a majority of votes, as well as the stunningly low number of MPs who actually secured a majority from the overall electorate.

The full report will be produced on Monday 1 June.

Drylaw Telford in membership drive

Community Council looks to recruit new members

Drylaw Telford Community Council is urging local residents to support their neighbourhood by joining the community council. Community councillors are currently leafletting the area to encourage new people to get involved.

The leaflet drop also advertises the community council’s Annual General Meeting, which takes place next Wednesday (27 May) at 6.30pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

Established in 1981, Drylaw Telford CC was one of Edinburgh’s original community councils. Local community councillors led the successful campaign for a purpose-built community centre for the area in the 1990s and the community council has met at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on the last Wednesday of the month ever since.

Why not go along next Wednesday, meet current members and find out about how you can help make Drylaw Telford a better place to be?

For further information email DTCC secretary Andrew Barnett at andrew@abarnett.net

Latest news from Trinity CC

Trinity Community Council met on 13 April. Here are the main points – and please note the annual walkabout this Saturday:

CRIME

Police have focussed considerable resource on housebreaking with one particular arrest reckoned to account for a lot of the problems. Other arrests include a youth riding his motor bike at speed through Victoria Park and a housebreaker in Lower Granton Rd.

Nothing beats good security – lock windows/doors, set alarms, light timers and motion lights in gardens. Best of all, get to know your neighbours and keep an eye out for each other’s property. Maybe set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme? Savings on house insurance alone will repay the effort!

A high speed chase through Trinity involving an unmarked police car raised concerns about risk to pedestrians. We have received assurances that the police vehicle was driven by a trained and authorised Roads Policing Officer and the pursuit was only undertaken following a careful assessment of risk. The culprit was eventually apprehended and charged.

Is there new LED street lighting where you live? Does it properly illuminate the street? It seems it isn’t fully effective everywhere depending on the distance between lampposts. CEC are trialling adjustments as a possible remedy.

FORTH NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIP REPORT

Some highlights from the first of what will be a quarterly report on the performance of local services:

Refuse collection – short of target but trending closer and showing the benefit from a new system to quickly identify missed bins.
Park maintenance – both parks still show high ratings but concern from residents about the impact of staff cutbacks on Victoria Park.
Anti Social Behaviour Complaints resolved – improved sharply in February as newly trained recruits came into service.
Overall Residents’ Satisfaction – Forth overall has a poor showing on this. We have asked for separate figures for Trinity.
We have also asked for information on road repairs. While we are concerned about how often roads are dug up CEC cannot coordinate as utilities can give almost no notice of road works.

WALKABOUT – SATURDAY 25 APRIL (10-noon)

This year’s walkabout reviewing potential issues and community investments will start outside Wardie Primary School then via Afton Terr, Netherby Rd, Boswall Rd, down Wardie Steps to Wardie Bay and Lower Granton Rd. Then Trinity Rd Lane, back to the walkway via 5-Ways Junction and finishing at Trinity Academy/Victoria Pk. Do join us!

PLANNING APPLICATION – 127 TRINITY ROAD …

… has been withdrawn and will be resubmitted as the Firemaster is requiring improvements to the adjoining lane.

GRANTON HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

We received an update from Granton and District CC which contained some disturbing messages about the behaviour of the developer and property management company and the patchwork nature of ownership which potentially will lead to piecemeal development and inadequate provision for road and school infrastructure.

Exacerbating everything is a lack of clarity concerning basic facts such as the applicability of planning consents. We have given our support to Cllr Jackson to convene a meeting of all interested parties to clarify matters. We support the principle of development but not at any price.

EAST TRINITY ROAD

City of Edinburgh Council have now written to local residents setting out plans as described in last month’s newsletter – with one important difference. Trialling single yellow lines will NOT now be included in the 6 month monitoring period only their potential use. This appears to meet concerns emailed to us by various residents.

TRINITY ACADEMY STUDENT COUNCIL (TASC)

Trinity CC held a stimulating and productive meeting with TASC when we discussed walkway safety, bike security, litter bin provision/emptying, and renovation of the basketball and tennis courts in Victoria Park. We plan to repeat these meetings every six months with pupils also being encouraged to attend TCC meetings.

HAPPY EASTER AT STARBANK PARK

The Easter Friday event was a great success. Over 200 parents and children enjoyed the morning and a net £350 was raised. In addition, Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded £250 to establish a fernery. Consideration is now being given to how the two annexes of the current building might be best used. Ideas such as a cafe, gallery or exhibition space (but not toilet) are all being considered.

Do you have an idea for further events in the Park? Let us know and we’ll pass it on.

FOUR TOPS (TRINITY OCCASIONAL PIPERS SOCIETY) …

… have offered their support to other similar worthy causes. Do you have an event planned? Let us know. We’ll put you in touch.

PUBLIC TOILET CLOSURES

CEC are consulting on closure of up to 10 public toilets in order to save around £300,000 pa. Granton Square and Canonmills are included in the list. You can express your view at: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/public-toilets-survey

NEW FACE. NEW PLACE.

We are grateful to Wardie Parish Church for hosting this and our remaining meetings this year. Welcome, also, to Kevin Taylor, the new representative from Wardie Parent Council.

Next meeting will be held on Monday 11 May then AGM on Monday 8 June. Both starting at 7 pm in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road. Open to all. Join us if you have something to say or simply want to listen.

Did you find this useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing tcc-comms@outlook.com Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.

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PY’s ‘Giggers’ vote to focus on animals – and unicorn protection!

To coincide with the Scottish Independence Referendum in September, Pilton Youth & Children Project’s ‘Get Involved Group’ (GIG) undertook a ‘Democracy Project’ over several months.

The young people explored all the arguments about both sides of the independence debate and also found out about the roots of British democracy -did you know that only very rich people and only men used to get the vote?

The project ended with two performances of a play staged by the young people.
There were sketches about the working class people and suffragettes who fought and died for their right to vote and a sketch about a fictitious family in Pilton, whose kids eventually persuaded their parents to miss ‘Storage wars’ to go and cast their vote!

The young people performed brilliantly and all their weeks of hard work were well worth it as the audience gave them a standing ovation. Well done to the ‘Giggers’!

Following on from the GIG project about democracy, the young people in the ‘Get Involved Group’ went through a democratic process of identifying what the GIG should focus on next.

After much discussion, they unanimously voted for the next topic to be ‘Animal Welfare’ as this is something they care deeply about.

They are in the process of developing a ‘Dog Dirt Free’ zone around the PYCP building, as many children play there, but unfortunately people are letting their dogs foul there and not cleaning it up.

The group recently had a visit from Rachel Bliss from The Dogs Trust who spoke about the many aspects of Dog Welfare and Dog Safety. Rachel has agreed to come back to PYCP to do two more sessions for young people during the Easter holidays.

A couple of youngsters are very keen to look at protection of unicorns, and this is something that the workers are trying to figure out how best to tackle this subject-without shattering their illusions about unicorns being real!

Photos: (1) Suffragettes scene from GIG play, and (2) GIG trip to Cosmos to celebrate their West End Theatre run!

Pilton Youth & Childrens Project (PYCP)

Nominate your inspiring volunteers

Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards 2015

Edinburgh’s Volunteering Ambassador the Lord Provost Donald Wilson will honour some of the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and commitment to the people of Edinburgh at a special awards ceremony to take place on Tuesday 16 June at The City Chambers.

Now nine years old, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.

Nominations are now invited for this year’s awards, and can be submitted online here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/IVA2015

Organisations are welcome to nominate up to three individual volunteers and one team of volunteers.

Some lucky nominees will be invited to accept their award at the City Chambers, others will receive a certificate in the post. ALL nominated volunteers will receive a certificate either in person or in the post.

Eligibility criteria for 2015:

· The Awards are only open to people volunteering in the City of Edinburgh

· There are no age restrictions.

· Volunteers must have volunteered for at least six months with your organisation before being eligible to be nominated.

· If they have previously received an “Inspiring Volunteering Certificate” at the City Chambers they should not be nominated again.

· Only fully completed nominations will be considered for individuals or teams, and we will quote from these statements when presenting the awards.

Shortlisted nominations will be considered by the Lord Provost for the ‘Lord Provost of Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year Award 2015’.

Special recognition categories to highlight some of the diverse areas of volunteering across the City of Edinburgh include:

· A Young Volunteer (aged between 11 and 25 years old)

· Long Standing Contribution to Volunteering Award (an individual who has volunteered for 10 years or more, and has made an outstanding contribution)

· Charity Shop Volunteer

· Fundraising Volunteer

· Trustee Volunteer

· Health & Social Care Volunteer (volunteers engaged in health and social care, including support work, befriending or projects which reduce social isolation and help assist independent living)

· Sports Volunteer (volunteers actively involved in supporting sports in their communities).

· Environment & Conservation Volunteer (volunteers engaged in environmental activities including education, conservation or gardening).

· Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteer

· Housing / Tenant participation champion *** Introduced in 2014 ***

The Awards Ceremony usually takes place during Volunteers Week – which runs every year from the 1– 7 June, however in 2015 it will be take place on the later date of Tuesday 16 June. Nominations will close on 1 April 2015 at 8pm.

We also encourage volunteer involving organisations to organise their own recognition events during Volunteers’ Week, whether that be their own mini awards ceremony, coffee morning, lunch or social activity that recognises and celebrates the contribution of their volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to do something to say thank you, and show your volunteers that they are valued and appreciated.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “There are thousands of dedicated and inspiring volunteers in Edinburgh selflessly giving up their own time to help and support others. These awards are simply one way of recognising some of their tremendous work, and their contribution to the wellbeing of our city’s residents cannot be overstated.”

Kris Von Wald, Convenor of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, said: “The Lord Provost has agreed to present these awards because he recognises how important volunteers are to Edinburgh and its residents. The Awards seek to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, energy and positive difference that volunteers make”.

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